Tag Archives: breastfeeding

Today, I’m happy to introduce Lynette Beard, a local Nurse and IBCLC Lactation Consultant, who is helping to make breastfeeding easier for moms and babies in Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba.

Lynette, how did you become interested in helping families with their breastfeeding journey?

I started out my nursing career on the Mother Child Unit at St. Boniface Hospital. It was there that I began to learn more about breastfeeding. I was given the opportunity to take the Douglas College Breastfeeding Course for Health Care Professionals in 2011, which provided me with a wealth of knowledge I could bring with me to the ward. My favourite part about working on the Mother Child Unit was the teaching aspect, especially about breastfeeding. I worked straight nights and you can imagine a large portion of my shifts were dealing with tired moms and babies who wanted to nurse nurse nurse! And once I became a mom myself, I realized how much more important breastfeeding was to me. Sharing my passion for breastfeeding is a joy and I love to see other moms find success in their own breastfeeding journeys.

I read that you are an IBCLC. What does that stand for and how does it differ from other lactation professionals?

IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. It is the gold standard of lactation care. It differs from other lactation professionals mostly in its accreditation process. To become an IBCLC, you need to acquire at least 1000 hours of practical experience, 90 hours of breastfeeding education, the equivalent of a 4 year university education, and write the entrance exam. Once you have been certified, you then need to re-certify every 5 years either by submitting 75 CERPs (Continuing Education Recognition Points) or writing the entrance exam (This is optional every 10 years). You can see that to become an IBCLC, the process takes years. To become a lactation counsellor or other lactation professional, the process may be to acquire 20 hours of breastfeeding education, provide an assignment, and write an exam. Some lactation educator programs may differ from this.

What is your favourite aspect of your job as an IBCLC?

I love visiting women where they are most comfortable, in their homes. I’m able to problem solve with each mother in their own environment, tailoring their care to their home environment. I also love all the baby cuddles!

Home Visit – In the comfort of your own home, I have a conversation with mom about her pregnancy/labour/delivery/breastfeeding history. I do a comprehensive exam on baby, including baby’s structure (body), function (how the tongue moves), mouth, and latch. Together with mom, we create a care plan that meets mom’s needs. We weigh baby and plot it on a WHO Growth Chart. And best of all, every mom receives 2 weeks of unlimited communication with me after our visit.

Hospital Visit – For those who would like to have an IBCLC come see them in the hospital before they go home, this is a great option. I’m happy to come and provide the same service as I’d provide in the home.

Prenatal Visit – For parents who would like to feel more prepared before their baby arrives, I come and discuss breastfeeding basics. I will discuss any past breastfeeding difficulties that may have occurred and how we can combat them this time around.

Full Online Visit – For mothers who might live out of my service area, I provide my services via Skype. The only thing we are not able to do is weigh the baby.

30 minute Online Visit – For those who just have some questions for an IBCLC but don’t need a full consult, this is a good option.

Tongue Tie Package – Many parents who find out their infants have a tongue tie have no idea how to move forward. And when they have a frenotomy done, many parents are unprepared for the difficult journey that follows. I am here to provide guidance and support, both emotionally and practically with breastfeeding positions and after care following the frenotomy.

What do you think are the current breastfeeding challenges for families locally?

I think that the largest obstacle for families currently is the lack of IBCLCs on the front lines. With the cutbacks on breastfeeding services at HSC, we have significantly less resources for moms in that first 1-2 days post-partum. And that’s a critical time in the mother-baby relationship where they are learning to breastfeed. Without appropriate help at this point, they are much more likely to have breastfeeding difficulties in the following days and weeks.

What are the top 3 tips you would give to families who are planning to breastfeed?

Take a breastfeeding class. I teach one once a month at Birth Roots.

Learn what normal newborn behavior is.

Plan to do continual skin to skin with your newborn at all times when you are awake in the first few weeks of his/her life. This will maximize your milk supply!! Skin to skin is magic!

The Winnipeg Breastfeeding Support Group was created to provide a safe place for women to share their breastfeeding experiences. Research has shown that when women are given the opportunity to call on their own past experiences to help others with breastfeeding, their own confidence in breastfeeding improves. Women who are more confident in their own breastfeeding abilities will go on to breastfeed for longer. Lynette Beard, RN, IBCLC, and founder of the Winnipeg Breastfeeding Support Group Facebook page is a firm believer in building womens’ breastfeeding self-efficacy. The owner of Lynette Beard Breastfeeding Support Service has been helping women find their way along their breastfeeding journeys for over 10 years.

“I wanted to do something that was going to make an impact in our city. With all of the cuts in funding, our breastfeeding community is reaching a new low with appropriate support.” Lynette says. “We have Public Health breastfeeding support groups in place, which is excellent. Unfortunately, many women can’t come to these groups. So how can we connect women who are breastfeeding? I wanted to meet women where they are – at home, on Facebook. The Winnipeg Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook is a thriving community of moms helping moms!”

Along with being an active online community, the Winnipeg Breastfeeding Support Group will begin meeting on Monday mornings, 9:30 – 10:30am, starting on September 10th. They will be located at Birth Roots, 206-83 Sherbrook St. in Winnipeg. Lynette will be facilitating the meetings and will have speakers visit each Monday. There will be snacks, coffee, and tea for the moms.